Edit and Share 4K video with iMovie

Video recorded at 4K resolution is four times the resolution of 1080p HD video, offering superior sharpness and quality. iMovie lets you edit and share 4K video captured from supported devices.

Set your device to capture 4K video

You can capture 4K video using iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus. Use these steps to set your device to record video at 4K resolution:

Open the Settings app.

Tap Photos & Camera.

Tap Record Video.

Tap 4K at 30 fps.

Use 4K video in iMovie

After you've recorded 4K video, simply add 4K video clips to your project in iMovie for iOS1 or iMovie for Mac.2 You can combine 4K video with other types of video clips and photos in the same project in iMovie.

iMovie for iOS

In iMovie for iOS, the clips in your project determine how you can export your project. If the project is entirely photos, or has at least one 4K video, it can be shared at 4K resolution.

iMovie for Mac

In iMovie for Mac, the first clip added to your project determines how you can export your movie or trailer. If you want to export a 4K file, be sure to add a 4K clip in the timeline before adding other clips.

You can confirm that the format of your imported movie is correct by clicking Settings in the upper right side of the timeline. The format of the currently-opened movie is displayed at the top of the Project Settings window.

Share a 4K video

Use these steps to export your 4K movie or trailer from iMovie.

iMovie for iOS

In iMovie, tap Projects.

Tap the project you want to export.

Tap the Share button.

Tap Save Video.

Choose 4K as the export size. Your movie is then exported to your photo library.

You can also share a 4K movie directly from iMovie to YouTube. When sharing to other online destinations, your movie might be converted to a lower resolution.

iMovie for Mac

With a movie or trailer selected in the Projects view or opened in the timeline, click the Share button.

Select File as the destination.

Next to Resolution, choose 4K.

Click Next, then save your movie.

You can also share a 4K movie directly from iMovie to YouTube. When sharing to other online destinations, your movie might be converted to a lower resolution.

View a project in 4K

On iMac with Retina 5K display, iMovie 10.1 allows you to view pixel-for-pixel 4K video while editing your movie. First, put iMovie into full screen mode by clicking the green button in the upper-left corner of the window. Then drag the lower edge of the Viewer to expand it to its maximum size, which shows 4K video at 100% resolution.

1. 4K editing and sharing with iMovie for iOS is supported on iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPad Air 2, and iPad Pro using iMovie for iOS version 2.2.1 or later and iOS 9.1 or later.

2. 4K editing and sharing with iMovie for Mac is supported on Mac computers from 2011 or later with at least 4GB of memory.

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